reprovingly

American  

[ri-proov-ing-lee] / rɪˈpruv ɪŋ li /

adverb

1. in a way that reproves, chides, or rebukes.

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Explanation

When you do something reprovingly, you do it in a scolding sort of way. Ask your studious friend if she wants to stay up late watching movies and she'll reprovingly say, "We have a math test tomorrow." If your grandma glances reprovingly at you during dinner, you might want to check yourself: are your elbows on the table? Are you chewing with your mouth open? This adverb is perfect for action and speech that criticizes, rebukes, or disapproves. Bring your adorable puppy into a busy restaurant and some patrons will most likely exclaim over her — but others will probably frown at you reprovingly.

Example Sentences

The trouble with Picasso, Julian Barnes wrote, reprovingly, in his essay collection, “Keeping an Eye Open,” is that he didn’t make paintings — he made Picassos.

From New York Times • Feb. 18, 2020

Raoni wagged his finger reprovingly, a sign for half a dozen Kayapó warriors to push the intruders back to their seats.

From The Guardian • Jan. 2, 2020

“It’s like a gargoyle with weird green eyes that pulls on my hair or nibbles my ear”—he jerked his head away and smiled reprovingly at the phantasm.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 11, 2019

“Not a lot,” he said, then looked at me reprovingly, as if I had thought these cats priceless.

From Salon • Sep. 3, 2012

The girl tapped the wolf reprovingly on the nose.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood